Policy & Research
Supporting Australian veterans overseas goes beyond coordinating individual services.
Through our work with veterans living overseas, AVOSS can identify policy and administrative arrangements that may affect veterans differently simply because they reside outside Australia.
Where a broader issue or disparity emerges, AVOSS may research the matter and engage constructively with DVA, government and other relevant stakeholders. Our aim is to ensure that the practical circumstances of Australian veterans living overseas are understood and appropriately considered.
Australian Veterans — Wherever They Live
Australian veterans living overseas remain Australian veterans.
AVOSS recognises that some Australian programs necessarily operate differently overseas. However, where veterans living overseas appear to receive materially different access to support or treatment, we believe it is reasonable to understand why that difference exists and whether it remains justified.
Our policy work focuses on identifying these issues, examining the relevant framework and contributing practical, evidence-based observations informed by the experience of veterans living overseas.
Our Approach
Identify
Our work with veterans overseas can reveal broader policy or administrative issues that affect access to support or create different outcomes for veterans living outside Australia.
Examine
We examine the relevant policy, legislation, administrative arrangements and practical consequences to better understand the issue and the reasons for any difference in treatment.
Engage
Where appropriate, AVOSS raises broader issues constructively with DVA, government or other relevant stakeholders and contributes practical, evidence-based observations for consideration.
Policy & Research Papers
AVOSS may publish selected policy and research papers examining issues affecting Australian veterans living overseas. These papers draw on practical experience, relevant policy and administrative frameworks, and issues identified through our work with the overseas veteran community.
Policy & Research Paper 001
Gold Card Overseas Healthcare Parity
This paper examines differences in healthcare arrangements affecting Australian Gold Card veterans living overseas and considers the policy basis and practical consequences of those differences.
Document link will be added when Policy Paper 001 is available.
Practical Experience Informs Our Research
AVOSS's direct work with Australian veterans overseas provides insight into how DVA-funded support and other veteran arrangements operate in practice outside Australia.
Where individual experiences indicate a potentially broader issue affecting overseas veterans, AVOSS can consider whether the matter warrants further research or engagement. Not every difference in Australian and overseas arrangements represents a policy problem, but where a material disparity exists, we believe it is reasonable to understand its basis and practical effect.
Have You Identified a Broader Issue?
Australian veterans living overseas may encounter policy or administrative issues that are not immediately apparent from within Australia. If you have experienced an issue that you believe may affect other Australian veterans living overseas, you are welcome to bring it to AVOSS's attention.
We cannot undertake every issue raised, but information from veterans can help identify matters that may warrant broader examination.